UCSB Takes Series with Rally in the Ninth

LONG BEACH, Calif. -
The Gauchos first extra base hit of the game could not have come at a more opportune time, as a two-run double to rightfield in the top of the ninth inning by Alden Carrithers led UC Santa Barbara (23-23, 8-9 Big West) to a series clinching 4-1 victory over host Long Beach State (26-23, 9-5 Big West) on Saturday afternoon.

Reliever Bryan Shaw (1-2) took his first loss in a month, giving up three-straight hits and five in the inning, as an RBI single by Robbie Blauer made it 4-1 in the ninth as was part of a three-run inning.

Andrew Schoneberger (1-0) picked up the win in relief, using one pitch in the seventh to keep The Beach off the board with the bases loaded, before pitching a scoreless eighth. Justin Segal then knotched his seventh save of the season.

Andrew Carpenter gutted out seven and two-third strong innings, giving up one run on nine hits, while striking out seven and walking one. With 115 pitches through seven innings and a 1-1 game, Carpenter had enough in the tank to throw in the eighth, using just seven pitches to retire the first two Gauchos in the eighth. He retired the final five batters he faced.

Carpenter, a Clemens Award candidate, remained undefeated in league play, at 3-0, with two no-decisions and three complete games.

Evan Longoria put the Dirtbags on the board in the first with an RBI single, his fourth hit of the series, to give LBSU an early 1-0 lead. UCSB answered in the fourth with a sacrifice fly.